Production of compounds containing active oxygen



Patented Feb. 17, 1931.

umre STATES r'rENr OFFICE JOHANNES ECKELL, OF LUDWIGSHAFEN-O1\T-THE-RHINE, I GERMANY, ASSIGNOR TO I. G. FARBENINDUSTRIE AKTIENGESELLSGHAFT, OF FRANKFOBT-ON-THE-MAIN, GER-MANY, A CORPORATION OF GERMANY PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS CONTAINING ACTIVE OXYGEN No Drawing. Application filed May 4, 1929, Serial No. 360,608, and in Germany June 7, 1928.

The present invention relates to the electrolytic production of compounds containing active oxygen.

It has been suggested elsewhere to produce such compounds by means of amalgamated cathodes, and in order to avoid reduction of the activity of the cathodes, it has been recommended to Wet the cathodes either continuously or intermittently during the operation with mercury.

I have now found that this process can be carried out in a particularly advantageous manner when maintaining, during electrolysis, the electrolyte saturated with a mercury compound which is difiicultly soluble in water. Preferably this mercury compound should be present in the electrolyte as the solid phase. The presence of such mercury compound constitutes a very simple method of maintaining the cathode Wetted with mercury. Suitable mercury compounds are for example mercury salts, such as mercury sulphates or phosphates. It is often very advantageous to employ the mercurous salt of the acid present in the electrolyte, but in other cases it may be preferable to employ mercury compounds which are still more difficultly soluble.

3. In the electrolytic production of compounds containing active oxygen by means of an amalgamated cathode, the step which comprises maintaining the electrolyte saturated with a mercurous salt.

4. In the electrolytic production of compounds containing active oxygen by means of an. amalgamated cathode, the step which comprises maintaining the electrolyte saturated With mercurous phosphate.

5. In the electrolytic production of hydrogen peroxide by means of-an amalgamated cathode, the step which comprises maintaining the electrolyte saturated with mercurous phosphate. I I g In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, a I

JOHANNES ECKELL.

The following example will further illus hate how my. invention may be carried out in practice, but the invention is,not' limited to this example. 7.

Example Ari aqueous phosphoric acid solution of-l I per cent strength is subjected to electrolysis by means'of an amalgamated silver cathode,

" while passing through a current-of oxygen.

Mercurous phosphate is continuously present in the electrolyteas the solid phase. Under these conditions, the yield of hydrogen peroxide'obtained after continuous operation for 4 weeks is the same as that originally obtained, Whereasin the absence of mercurous phosphate or other dilficultly soluble mercury compound the formation of hydrogen peroxide wouldcease after one week.

What I claim is I 1. In the electrolytic production of compounds containing active oxygen by means of 

